FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Why Bother Arguing With Gun Owners?

More mass shootings in the U.S. and the resulting silence is deafening.  While their President may continually question the fact that his society is the most violent among industrialized countries, the onslaught continues.  The arms industry and its lobbyists rule the day.

Even here is Canada, statistically far less violent but increasingly seeing the use of firearms in homicides, there has been little real outrage over the recent weakening of gun control measures.  Some Canadian gun owners even argue that more gun control is a first step in the government eventually confiscating their weapons.  Sounds like arguments by militant militia movements existing both in the U.S. and Canada.  Remember folks, it’s the God-given right to bear arms!

When the number of guns in the hands of people outnumbers the number of people in a society, it would seem only inevitable that they will be used in violent acts of domestic terror and crime.  Indeed, some would argue that we are now in a state of perpetual war.  Local police are equipped with high-powered rifles, machine guns, armoured-attack vehicles, etc., etc.  As more police are unfortunately gunned down, authorities are becoming more and more like paramilitary organizations.  Can’t really blame them.

Getting guns off the street is a lot harder then it sounds.  Pro-gun groups continue to argue that each individual has the right to defend themselves if attacked or provoked.  It used to be that guns were primarily needed for hunting, target practice and sporting events.  However, we’ve seem for whatever reason to have expanded the need.  Sorry folks, given the political and financial clout of gun advocates, there isn’t really any reason to bother arguing for increased gun control measures.  There are no more excuses, no more rational thinking and no more political will.

Leave a comment »

Summer’s Here — But So Is Climate Change

Yep, summer is finally here.  But so are the continuing bizarre, often severe, weather patterns. There is all that drought in the west, tornadoes in the mid-west and bone drenching storms in the east.  Records are being broken everywhere.  And the wind.  I’ve never seen so much wind almost on a daily basis.

While all this is going on, our fearless G-7 leaders were meeting in Germany.  Among the issues discussed was that of climate change and carbon emissions.  Low and behold, they announced an agreement to become carbonless by the end of the century.  In the meantime, let’s try to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.  All probably too little, too late!  At least according to the often ignored so-called experts.

At my age, I won’t probably be around by then.  However, I’m happy that our leaders are finally recognizing that climate change does exist, humans contribute to its existence, and it is here to stay.  All we can do now is take the necessary measures to hopefully mitigate its full impact.  The health and survival of humanity depends on it.  Every sector of our daily lives is affected by weather patterns — including agriculture, travel, forestry, manufacturing, energy production, etc., etc.

Climate change is the number one issue that our grandchildren will have to face.  It’s up to my generation – the so-called boomers – and Generations X and Y to get the ball rolling.  Yes, there may be some sacrifices that we will have to make.  However, the potential consequences of doing nothing or too little are horrific.  Unfortunately, this issue will not be the number one priority of candidates in coming federal elections in Canada and the States.  Once again, getting elected is more important then preserving the planet.

Leave a comment »